Former Marlborough School teacher accused of sexually abusing a student pleads not guilty

A former English teacher at Marlborough School in Los Angeles accused of felony sex crimes involving a former student made his first court appearance Wednesday, pleading not guilty to the charges.

Joseph Thomas Koetters, 47, who was arrested earlier this month, faces two counts each of oral copulation and penetration with a foreign object involving someone under 18, according to the district attorney's office.

Koetters pleaded not guilty on all charges and is free on $140,000 bail.

Koetters said little during his appearance. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sergio C. Tapia II ordered that Koetters remain at least 100 yards away from the alleged victim, noting that she was listed as “Jane Doe” in the criminal complaint. Tapia said that he was told that Koetters knew the real name of the alleged victim.

When asked by the judge if that was so, Koetters replied “Yes, sir.”

After leaving the downtown Los Angeles courtroom, Koetters and his attorney, Leonard Levine, declined to comment.

David M. Ring, an attorney who represents the former student, said his client is relieved that the criminal case is underway.

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A former English teacher at an elite private girls' school in Los Angeles has pleaded not guilty to new sexual molestation charges involving a second student, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.

A former English teacher at an elite private girls' school in Los Angeles has pleaded not guilty to new sexual molestation charges involving a second student, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.

CAPTION

A former English teacher at an elite private girls' school in Los Angeles has pleaded not guilty to new sexual molestation charges involving a second student, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.

A former English teacher at an elite private girls' school in Los Angeles has pleaded not guilty to new sexual molestation charges involving a second student, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.

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A former English teacher at a private girls' school in Hancock Park, Calif., was charged with having a sexual relationship with a student that lasted more than a year.

A former English teacher at a private girls' school in Hancock Park, Calif., was charged with having a sexual relationship with a student that lasted more than a year.

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Former prep school teacher charged with sexually abusing student

Former prep school teacher charged with sexually abusing student

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Girl describes inappropriate conduct by teacher

Girl describes inappropriate conduct by teacher

“She hopes that Mr. Koetters won’t prolong it and do the right thing and accept his punishment,” he said.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 26.

Koetters, who worked at the all-girls private school in Hancock Park for more than a decade, allegedly initiated a yearlong sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student beginning in 2000, according to a statement from the district attorney’s office.

A former teacher at Marlborough School in Hancock Park is accused of sexually abusing a former student.

A former teacher at Marlborough School in Hancock Park is accused of sexually abusing a former student. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Ring previously told the Los Angeles Times that his client became pregnant by the teacher and later had a miscarriage. Ring, who plans to file a civil suit against Koetters and the school, said his client's story was the subject of a recent Vanity Fair article.

Koetters worked at Marlborough for more than a decade and then briefly at Polytechnic School in Pasadena.

Last year, a team commissioned by Marlborough's board investigated allegations against Koetters and concluded that there existed a "pattern of misconduct" by the teacher and "mistakes in judgment" by top school officials. In November, the school's chief administrator announced that she would step down.

In a statement following Koetters' arrest, school officials said their top priorities are the safety and welfare of students.

“Marlborough School expresses its deep sympathy for the victims of the sexual misconduct that has come to light,” the statement said.

Koetters faces up to five years in state prison if convicted on all charges, according to the district attorney’s office.